Unilateral Nephrectomy in 10 Cattle

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and imaging findings, treatment, and long-term outcome of cattle undergoing unilateral nephrectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Cattle (n=10). METHODS: Medical records (January 1991-August 2008) of cattle that had unilateral nephrectomy were reviewed. Follow-up data were obtained by owner telephone interview. RESULTS: Nephrectomy was performed without surgical complications. Transient increases in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations occurred after surgery and then returned to, or below, presurgical values in 9 cattle. Nine cows were discharged and 7 rejoined their respective herd as productive animals without long-term complications. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography was the most useful imaging tool for presurgical diagnosis. Based on our follow-up data, unilateral nephrectomy resulted in few serious short-term or long-term complications, and cattle undergoing this procedure are capable of satisfactory growth, reproduction, and milk production after surgery.